25 years ago in the week of Oct. 1, 1987

Note: Most newspaper content reprinted here is incomplete and delayed. Want it all? Sooner? Subscribe to our full print and online editions by calling (559) 674-4207 and get both editions for the price of one!

COUNTY EMPLOYEE GROUP SIGNS PACT — Tom Kidwell, chairman of the joint council of the Federated Employees of Madera County and the Mid-Management unit announced that a two-year agreement has been reached between the two units and the county. “It passed by a very good margin,” Kidwell said, declining to divulge the vote. The federation represents the professional, clerical/technical and service units.

WOMAN LUCKY AFTER SHOOTING — Rosa Guzman, 22, has been described as “lucky” after she required only minor treatment for a bullet wound in the neck, which she received Wednesday night. According to Undersheriff Jim Hickman, Ms. Guzman was asleep when a man, later identified as Angel Aguilar, entered her home and began to gather up her clothes. He told her parents he was going to take her with him and shoot them. Ms. Guzman grabbed the gun and it went off sending a bullet through her throat.

FRANCO FINISHES LANDSCAPING PROJECT — Carlos Franco, owner of Franco’s West Mart Nursery, has completed work on the landscaping job he donated to the city of Madera’s HOPY intersection. The business lost its Yosemite Avenue entrance because of the construction but will soon build a Pine Street entrance. City Engineer Allen Fahri called the work “very artistic and well done.”

ELSE BIGELOW DIES — Else B. Bigelow, 96, of O’Neals died Thursday, Oct. 8, at her home after a brief illness. She was the cofounder of the Ponderosa Phone Company and was the last member of the first graduating class of Fresno State University. Survivors are one daughter, Lauanne Silkwood, five grandchildren, and six great grandchildren...